Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card – Full Review [2026]

Great Card If

• You’re a frequent Southwest flyer
• You want to enhance your Southwest flights with a complimentary Preferred seat and a discount on inflight purchases
• You want a card that earns Southwest Rapid Rewards points on your daily purchases

Don’t Get If

• You rarely fly with Southwest
• You want a card that earns transferable rewards
• You don’t want a card that charges an annual fee

Southwest Priority Card — Is It Worth It?

When deciding whether the Southwest Priority card is worth it to you, consider how often you fly with Southwest. If that answer is relatively often, then adding a Southwest credit card to your wallet might make sense for you.

Next, consider whether or not you think you’ll get enough value out of the card to justify the $229 annual fee.

The card provides 7,500 bonus points yearly, which should be worth roughly $97.50 in Southwest flights, based on our current valuation of Southwest points, helping to offset the annual fee.

When you factor in the card’s other benefits, including the point-earning, complimentary seat upgrades, free checked bags, priority boarding, and discount on inflight purchases, it’s easy to see why this card is well worth it for Southwest flyers.

Southwest Priority Card Top Benefits

Here is a full look at the benefits and perks you can expect from your Southwest Priority card:

• 7,500 annual bonus points: Each account anniversary, you’ll receive 7,500 bonus points so long as you renew the card and pay the $229 annual fee. These points should get you $97.50 in Southwest flight value each year.
• Complimentary preferred seat at booking: Select a Preferred or Standard seat at booking, at no additional charge, for a total of up to 4 passengers on your reservation.
• Free checked bags: Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
• Complimentary extra legroom seat upgrades: Receive unlimited complimentary upgrades to an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours of departure, when available.
• Fast track to elite status: Earn 2,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually.
• Companion Pass boost: Receive a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost each year.
• Priority boarding: Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation will board early with Group 5.
• 25% back on inflight purchases: Receive a 25% rebate when you use your card to purchase items on board, such as food and drinks.
• No foreign transaction fees: Use your card during international trips to continue earning Southwest points.
• Lost luggage reimbursement: If your luggage is lost or damaged by the carrier, you’re covered for up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Baggage delay insurance: If your checked bag is delayed by more than 6 hours, you’ll receive $100 in coverage towards essential items for each day that your bag is delayed.
• Extended warranty protection: On eligible warranties of 3 years or less, your warranty coverage will be extended by 1 additional year.
• Purchase protection: Items you purchase with the card are covered against theft or accidental damage, with up to $50,000 in coverage, up to 120 days from the date of purchase.

How To Earn and Redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards Points

The 2 most straightforward ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points are by taking Southwest flights and using a Southwest credit card, such as the Southwest Priority card. However, there are many other great ways for you to earn lots of Southwest Rapid Rewards points towards free flights.

The number of points needed to book a flight with Southwest Airlines depends on the cash cost of the ticket. Typically, Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth approximately 1.3 cents each in value. You can’t get outsized value for your points, but there are still great ways to redeem your Southwest Rapid Rewards points for fantastic trips.

Alternative Cards to the Southwest Priority Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

If you’re looking for a more well-rounded card that also earns transferable rewards, then the Chase Sapphire Preferred card might be a better option for you.

The card earns 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through the Chase travel portal, and 2x points per $1 on all other travel purchases. Additionally, it earns 3 points per $1 on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, as well as 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

While it has an annual fee, it also offers several excellent perks, including various travel protections, an annual $50 hotel statement credit on purchases made through the Chase travel portal, a DoorDash DashPass membership (which must be activated by December 31, 2027), and access to Chase’s travel partners.

Read our full comparison of these 2 cards: Southwest Priority card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred card

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card makes it easy to earn unlimited points and qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card

This card makes it easy to earn unlimited points and qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass.

Welcome Offer

Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

50,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$650

Annual Fee

$99

APR

19.24% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you spend a lot of time in the air, it’s important to get a great deal on your plane tickets.

Southwest Airlines can help you get those deals.

One way to save is by using the Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card. This card helps you earn points for all your spending, and earning more reward points is always a good thing for a busy traveler!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 on the first $5,000 in combined spend at gas stations and grocery stores each anniversary year
• 3,000 anniversary points each year on your card renewal

Cons

• $99 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines^® purchases
• Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
• Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
• Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Southwest Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

The Southwest Plus card might be a better fit for you if you’re a casual Southwest flyer and can’t justify the annual fee of the Southwest Priority card, but still want a card that earns Southwest Rapid Rewards points.

With it, you’ll earn 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases and on the first $5,000 in combined spending at gas stations and grocery stores each anniversary year.

The card still has an annual fee, which is less than the Southwest Priority card. However, it still offers solid benefits, including free checked bags, a 10% annual flight discount, complimentary standard seat selection, 3,000 annual bonus points, and priority boarding.